This year’s Junior Handling National Championships were held at Club Canin Chomedey, in Terrebonne, Quebec, on September 16. Dog handler Panagiota Rounis, who is from qathet, finished in third place for her zone: BC Southwest.
“Much like [other] sports, dog handling has provincials, regionals and then nationals,” said Panagiota. “Junior handling is for under 18 years old and competitors are judged on their abilities, rather than the dog’s abilities.”
Canadian Kennel Club offers junior handling training in order for those from four years of age to 17 to get a feel for what it takes to show a dog in competition. Young dog handlers in training learn all about the 187 recognized dog breeds, how to care for them, groom them, and train and compete with their four-legged companions.
“When I was younger I would show my dog Effie all the time, but as I’ve gotten older, and my dog has gotten older, I have branched out and show different breeds,” said Panagiota. “The dog I did the regionals and nationals with was a smooth-haired Vizsla named Pivot.”
Pivot is owned by Kristy Emery, who lives in Duncan. She trusted the Rounis family enough to fly Pivot out to Quebec for the competition, according to Sonia Rounis, Panagiota’s mother.
There were 14 young people competing at the nationals from across Canada.
“The winner goes to worlds in Birmingham, England,” said Panagiota
The show is called Crufts: The World’s Greatest Dog Show, similar to the well-known Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in the United States.
Panagiota competed in Victoria in July, with Pivot, and in October, she competed in Port Alberni with a giant schnauzer named Covina. She won Best Overall Junior Handler at that show.
“Juniors don’t have to own the dog,” explained Panagiota. “There are always owners, breeders and handlers willing to lend a dog and help you learn.”
Panagiota took an early interest in dog handling, and at 11 years old, received a New Champion award from Westminster Kennel Club with Effie.
Both Panagiota and Sonia hope the young dog handler will keep competing and one day head to the world’s greatest dog show in Great Britain.
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